Chronology of Communications 2020

December

ANACOM recovers the “1030”" indirect access provider code assigned to AR Telecom.
ANACOM approves targets for postal network density and minimum service offers, communicated by CTT, to be in force until 31 December.
ANACOM approves the information disclosure calendar for 2021.
Auction of 5G and other relevant bands starts on 21 December, with the bids for new entrants.
DTT – network migration process completed in Portugal, with the retuning of the Madeira transmitters, on 18 December.
Publication, on 18 December, of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/654, supplementing Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council by setting a single maximum Union-wide mobile voice termination rate.
ANACOM makes available the 5G Portal (https://portal5g.pt/https://portal5g.pt/), disclosing relevant information about the 5th mobile generation.
Publication, on 14 December, of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2082 on setting the weighted average of maximum mobile termination rates across the Union and repealing Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2116.
DTT – network migration process in the Azores completed on 11 December.
ANACOM approved a resolution setting out the grounds on which it is based, recognising that the prevention of acts of enforcement of the rules contained in the 5G Auction Regulation is seriously detrimental to the public interest, and determines full maintenance of all the enforceability of the Regulation's rules, following the service of an injunction filed by NOS.
DTT – network migration process in Mainland Portugal completed on 7 December.
European Commission launches public consultation on the reduction of the cost of implantation of high-speed electronic communications networks, which will contribute to the revision of Directive 2014/61/EU.
ANACOM approves the statement of compliance of the analytical accounting system of MEO for 2018, relative to the results of the telephone service at a fixed location, the service of leased lines and the interconnection service.
Publication, on 4 December, of Directive (EU) 2020/1828 on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers and repealing Directive 2009/22/EC.

November

ANACOM discloses clarifications on the auction for 5G and other relevant bands, whose application submission deadline is 26 November.
Ordinance 270-A/2020 of 23 November, which amends Ordinance 1473-B/2008 of 17 December, relative to the fees payable to ANACOM.
ANACOM establishes the contribution percentage t2 for 2020 at 0.2705%, applicable to the relevant income of postal service providers, and approves the issue of the invoicing of the annual fee payable for pursuit of the activity of postal services provider.
Publication of Law 74/2020 of 19 November, which transposes Directive (EU) 2018/1808 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 November into the national legal system, amending Law 27/2007 of 30 July and Law 55/2012 of 6 September, concerning television activity.
ANACOM launches a public consultation on the density targets of the postal network and minimum service offers disclosed by CTT, to be enforced up to 31 December.
ERGP discloses the response to the European Commission public consultation on the Postal Service Directive, in which it argues that the future regulatory framework should consider topics such as digitalisation, e-commerce and digital platforms.
ANACOM establishes the contribution percentage t2 for 2020 at 0.8102%, applicable to the relevant income of electronic communication network and service providers, and approves the issue of the invoicing of the annual fee payable for pursuit of the activity of electronic communication network and service provider.
ANACOM approves Multi-Annual Activities Plan 2021-2023, including the budget for 2021.
ANACOM approves CTT's application of the compensation mechanism due to non-compliance with universal postal service quality indicators in 2019.
ANACOM approves change of the frequency user rights held by Dense Air Portugal.
ANACOM discloses publication of “Communications Market in the National Economy”, which presents the structural and evolutive overview of the communications market in the Portuguese economy of 2015-2019.
ANACOM discloses conditions of the auction of 5G and other relevant bands.

October

ANACOM approves the Regulation of the Auction for allocation of frequency user rights in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands (Regulation 987-A/2020 of 5 November).
Publication, on 26 October, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1562 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/167 as regards harmonised standards for certain radio equipment concerning advanced surface movement guidance and control systems, primary surveillance radars, broadcast sound receivers, international mobile telecommunications equipment and fixed radio systems.
ANACOM endorses new organisational model, designed in articulation with its legal framework, aimed at making the organisation more flexible, more integrated, multidisciplinary and better endowed to face the challenges experienced in the regulation of the electronic and postal communications sector and space activities sector.
ANACOM approves the proposed prices for correspondence included in the universal postal service (SPU), submitted by CTT, that, combined with the price variation implemented in June 2020 for all the other services of the universal postal service, comply with the criteria setting the prices of the postal services comprising the universal postal service, applicable to 2020.
ANACOM launches public consultation on MEO's cost of capital rate applicable to the financial year of 2020.
ERGP discloses response to the European Commission public consultation on legislation concerning digital services, in which it considers that future initiatives in the context of this legislative package should take into account: (i) the essential role of the postal sector; (ii) the possible inconsistencies with the regulatory framework of the postal sector due to the fact that some online platforms are gradually including distribution services in their value chain; (iii) the rights and interests of postal service consumers, in view of the redirection of the postal service towards the “receiver”.
Publication, on 15 October, of Order 9938/2020, which proceeds with the creation of a working group for the assessment of the technological requirements and management model of the State's emergency communications network.
ANACOM launches the "tem.REDE?" (do you have a signal?) application, which provides information on the mobile operators' coverage in Portugal, enabling any user to know where the operators have coverage to provide mobile “Voice, SMS and MMS” and mobile internet services in Portugal.
BEREC and RSPG issue joint statement on 5G and the potential effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Publication, on 7 October, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/1426 on the harmonised use of radio spectrum in the 5875-5935 MHz frequency band for safety-related applications of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and repealing Decision 2008/671/EC.
BEREC endorses guidelines on very high-capacity networks, that seek to guide national regulatory authorities on the criteria that a network should observe in order to be considered a very high-capacity network. These guidelines shall be used to promote the connectivity, access and implementation of very high-capacity networks, as established in the European Electronic Communications Code, applicable from the end of 2020.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the revision of the prices of the circuits connecting Mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira (CAM circuits) and the prices of the circuits connecting the different islands of the Azores (inter-island circuits), provided by MEO under the leased lines reference offer (LLRO) and the Ethernet leased lines offer (RELLO).
ANACOM approves the final decision on the level of compliance with universal postal service quality indicators by CTT in 2019.

September

Publication, on 30 September, of Order 9333/2020, determining the commencement of the process of replacement of the communications system linking Mainland Portugal to the Azores and Madeira.
ANACOM approved the adoption of a provisional measure imposed on CTT which establishes that, from 1 October and until the approval of new targets for postal network density and minimum services offered, the targets for postal network density and minimum services offered stipulated in ANACOM decision of 15 September 2017, complemented by the decision of 21 August 2019 shall continue to be enforced.
European Commission launches consultation on the assessment of the European Union's rules in relation to State aids for the implementation of the broadband network.
Publication, on 18 September, of Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1307 on a common Union toolbox for reducing the cost of deploying very high-capacity networks and ensuring timely and investment-friendly access to 5G radio spectrum, to foster connectivity in support of economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis in the Union.
ANACOM approves the decision on the prices charged by MEO to television operators for providing the service of encoding, multiplexing, transmission and broadcasting of free unrestricted access television channels by the DTT network (MUX A).
ANACOM discloses study on the Licensed Shared Access spectrum-sharing model in Portugal in the 2.3-2.4 GHz frequency band.
BEREC recommends the adoption of a specific ex-ante regulatory framework for digital platforms with significant intermediation power, in its response to the public consultation launched by the European Commission in June 2020, on the legislative package concerning digital services.
ANACOM approves the second addendum to the national roadmap for the 700 MHz band, which establishes the plan and schedule for the release of this frequency band, as well as the respective allocation for wireless broadband electronic communications services, namely for the development of the 5th generation mobile network (5G).
ANACOM approves the action arising from the audit of the reformulated results of the analytical accounting system (CAS) of CTT for 2016 and 2017, and the statement of compliance of the analytical accounting system (2026 and 2017), published by Notice 15426/2020 of 2 October.
ANACOM keeps vice chair of the ERGP in 2021.

August

150th anniversary of the submarine cable in Portugal is marked with the launch of a commemorative stamp, by CTT, created by the designer João Machado, which evokes the role performed by submarine cable in international and national communications, as well as their contribution to the development of the information society and to connect different geographies.
ANACOM approves the extension of the validity of the injunction prohibiting unfair competition, determined on 17 January, in the context of DTT, up to the 30th business day after the completion of the DTT network migration process.
European Commission discloses draft recommendation on relevant product and service markets in the electronic communications sector. Pursuant to the European Electronic Communications Code, the Commission must review the Recommendation by 21 December and on a regular basis from that date onwards.
European Commission launches public consultation on the proposed Delegated Act on the maximum value of mobile termination rates (MTRs) and fixed termination rates (FTRs), referred to as Eurorates.
ANACOM helps Government to test mobile broadband at schools through "NET.mede escolas".
DTT – network migration process recommences on 12 August, with the retuning of the Alter de Chão transmitter.
BEREC discloses statement expressing concern with the measures taken by some Member States that could place in question the independence of the national regulatory authorities, despite the recent confirmation of that independence by the European Electronic Communications Code.
Publication, on 4 August, of Assembly of the Republic Resolution 62/2020, which extends the offer of services of programmes on DTT, rectified by Rectification Declaration 29/2020 of 11 August.
Publication, on 4 August, of Decree-Law 49/2020, establishing the penalty system applicable to breach of rules of access to the open internet and regulated inter-European Union calls.

July

ANACOM sends, to the Assembly of the Republic and the Deputy Secretary of State and Communications, the preliminary draft bill for transposition of the European Electronic Communications Code and a series of proposed specific amendment to other legislation in force.
European Union applies, for the first time, on 30 July, the cyber diplomacy instruments endorsed in May 2019, to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks directed against the Union or its Member States. Restrictive measures were imposed against six persons and three entities responsible for various cyber-attacks, namely the attempted cyber-attack against the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the cyber-attacks commonly known as "WannaCry", "NotPetya" and "Operation Cloud Hopper".
Publication, on 30 July, of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1125, which enforces Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/796 concerning restrictive measures against cyber-attacks threatening the Union or its Member States.
European Commission places under public consultation the review of the recommendation on regulated access to next generation access networks and the coherence of the non-discrimination obligations and costing methods to promote competition and improve the context of broadband investment.
Network and Information Security Cooperation Group, composed of representatives of the Member States of the European Union, European Commission and European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), disclose report on the progress of the implementation of the toolbox presented in the publication entitled "Cybersecurity of 5G networks - EU Toolbox of risk mitigating measures", which reveals that all the Member States have already started, albeit at different rates, to take measures to implement the security risk mitigation measures for 5G networks, and that many countries are still awaiting political decisions to enable them to advance.
ANACOM approves a decision that considers that the proposed prices for international correspondence included in the universal postal service (SPU), submitted by CTT, combined with the price variation already implemented in June for all the other services of the universal postal service, do not comply with the criteria setting the prices of the postal services comprising the universal postal service, applicable to 2020.
Publication on 21 July, of Assembly of the Republic Resolution 44/2020 on the elections for the Superior Council for Cyberspace Security.
ERGP launches 3 public consultations on: i) the work programme for 2021; ii) the report on the definition of the postal sector's parameters (report on postal definitions; iii) the report on the identification of key issues related to consumers (report on key consumer issues).
Publication, on 21 2020, of Decree-Law 43/2020, establishing the national civil emergency planning system.
ANACOM approves the calculation of the amount of regulation costs of the activity of electronic communications networks and services provider, relative to the fees payable in 2020, of the value of 33,819,903 euros.
ANACOM approves the calculation of the amount of regulation costs of the activity of postal services provider, relative to the fees payable in 2020, of the value of 2,531,166 euros.
ANACOM launches public consultation on the multi-annual activity plan for the three-year period 2021-2023.
Publication, on 16 July of, of Order 7213/2020, determining the crisis management exercise of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - CMX 21-22.
European Commission launches public consultation on the Postal Service Directive, aimed at assessing its impact and understanding the needs of the postal sector, taking into account the growing e-commerce economy.
ANACOM approves the final decision on the criterion to be adopted for assessment of achievement of the performance targets associated to quality of service indicators of the universal postal service, calculated through samples.
ANACOM approves the change of scheduling to complete the DTT network migration process (MUX A), in the context of the release of the 700 MHz band.
ANACOM updates indicative timeframe for holding the auction to assign frequency user rights for 5G and other relevant bands (700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz).
European Commission launches consultation on the revision of the Directive on network and information security (NIS Directive), which entered into force in 2016.
WiFi4EU – European Commission attributes vouchers to 12 Portuguese municipal councils in the fourth phase of candidatures.
European Commission launches public consultation on cross-border parcel delivery, aimed at collecting contributions on the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/644 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 April, which seeks to improve cross-border parcel delivery, determine the implementation of a procedure that enables comparing the prices of parcel delivery across the entire European Union.
Publication, on 6 July, of Order 6909/2020, which determines the total value of the fixed component to be allocated annually by the State, through the Directorate-General for Justice Policy, and by the regulatory entities of essential services, to the arbitration centres that, pursuant to Article 4 of Law 144/2015 of 8 September, amended by Law 14/2019 of 12 February, are part of the consumer arbitration network.
Publication, on 3 July, of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/969 laying down implementing rules concerning the data protection officer, restrictions of data subjects’ rights and the application of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Decision 2008/597/EC.

June

European Commission endorses Implementing Regulation on the installation of small-area wireless access points, wireless access points, in the context of the implementation of 5G networks, aimed at increasing data capacity and coverage in the European Union.
Publication, on 29 June, of Decree-Law 30/2020, which transposes Directive (EU) 2015/1535, laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical regulations and of rules on information society services.
ANACOM approves decision on the assessment of cross-border single-piece tariffs (2020), arising from Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/644, on cross-border parcel delivery services and respective notification to the European Commission.
ANACOM approves annual report of the compensation fund of the universal service of electronic communications of 2019.
ANACOM approves the report on net neutrality in the period between 1 May 2019 and 30 April 2020 with regard to the application of Articles 3 and 4 of the Regulation (EU) 2015/2120 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 25 November 2015 (TSM Regulation).
Published on 22 June, Order No. 149/2020 defines and regulates the terms under which a drop in income can be demonstrated for the purpose of non-suspension of the supply of water, electricity, natural gas and electronic communications.
ANACOM approves new schedule for the conclusion of the DTT migration process in the context of releasing the 700 MHz band.
ANACOM approves cost of capital rate of 9.7150% to be applied by CTT during 2020.
ANACOM coordinates with NOS for the temporary use of the spectrum without licensing under the ambit of the exceptional measures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, approved in order to facilitate temporary access to spectrum resources.
ANACOM launches a public consultation on the draft decisions regarding the provision of the universal postal service after the end of the current CTT concession.
ANACOM publishes the “Report on Regulation, Supervision and Other Activities 2019”.
ANACOM publishes the “Mobile networks and health - facts, data and challenges” guide, which aims to clarify the discussion about 5G with transparent, neutral information based on scientific knowledge.
ANACOM announces new rules on the suspension and cancellation of electronic communications contracts, in force until 30 September 2020.

March 2020

ANACOM approves an addendum to the national route for the 700 MHz band, following the exceptional and temporary measures of response to the epidemiological situation (Covid-19), adopted by this Authority by decision of 12 March, after declaration of pandemic by the World Health Organisation, and the decision of 19 March, after declaration of state of emergency by the President of the Republic.
ANACOM issues a warning to consumers and users of communications services about situations of fraud on the internet and face-to-face, and of cyber-attacks related to Covid-19, asking everyone to be attentive to the warnings of the authorities (Criminal Police, National Republic Guard and the National Cybersecurity Centre) and to help spread these warnings their network of contacts, so as to help to halt these situations and prevent the dissemination of false information.
ANACOM approves launch of consultation on the criterion to be adopted for assessment of achievement of the performance targets associated to indicators of quality of service of the universal postal service, calculated through samples (with the deadline for responding to this consultation having been temporarily suspended under Law 1-A/2020).
ITU promotes competition named “How to apply ITU’s ML architecture in 5G networks”, aimed at gathering the technical community and other players to discuss, innovate and resolve relevant problems in the application of artificial intelligence/automatic learning in 5G networks, using the standardisation work already developed by the ITU.
ANACOM adopts contingency plan to enable ensuring the development of its activity during the Covid-19 pandemic period.
Published, on 23 March, Decree-Law 10-D/2020, establishing exceptional and temporary measures for the Covid-19 disease epidemic related to the electronic communications sector.
ANACOM approves, following the audit of the results of 2017 of the analytical accounting system (SCA) of MEO, the report on the prior hearing and statement of compliance of the SCA relative to the fixed location telephone service, the service of hired circuits and the interconnection service of MEO, for the financial year of 2017, as well as the updating of the determinations on this system to be enforced in future years.
Published, on 19 March, Ordinance 77/2020, which establishes the form of appropriation of the net income for the year of 2018 of ANACOM.
Published, on 19 March, Assembly of the Republic Resolution 16/2020, which terminates the enforcement of Decree-Law 170/2019 of 4 December, establishes the eleventh amendment of the Public Procurement Code, approved by the annex to Decree-Law 18/2008 of 29 January, and the second amendment to Decree-Law 111/2012 of 23 May.
ANACOM accepts the CTT request to strike off from the record the shipments of: i) regular mail, bulk mail, regular parcels, newspapers and periodic publications with more than weekly periodicity, from 3 to 5 December 2019 (inclusively); and (ii) express mail, registered mail, newspapers and periodic publications with weekly or less than weekly periodicity, from 4 to 5 December 2019 (inclusively), directly affected by the air traffic disruptions at Funchal airport caused by strong winds, in the flows to and from the Autonomous Region of Madeira (from Mainland to the Autonomous Region of Madeira and vice-versa).
ANACOM accepts the CTT request to strike off from the record the shipments directly affected by the A1 motorway traffic disruption, on 30 October 2019, for calculation of the values of the quality of service indicators in October 2019.
ANACOM approves, for reasons of force majeure, to suspend the periods i) for the regulatory consultation procedure applied to the draft Regulation of the Auction for allocation of frequency user rights in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2.1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands; and ii) for the prior hearing and public consultation applied to the draft decision on the change of the frequency user rights held by Dense Air Portugal.
ANACOM suspends DTT network migration process due to the constraints associated to the Covid-19 pandemic. The suspension of the process follows from prior articulation between ANACOM and MEO, DTT network operator, with the necessary concordance of the Government. Following this decision, the switch of frequency of the broadcasters was postponed with the switch date being after 16 March.
ANACOM approves, with enter into force on 1 April 2020, the 4th edition of the ITED Manual - Technical requirements and specifications of telecommunications infrastructure in buildings - and the 3rd edition of the ITUR Manual - Technical requirements and specifications for telecommunications infrastructure in housing estates, developments and building complexes.
BEREC launches public consultations on: i) the proposed strategy for the period 2021-2025; ii) the proposed guidelines on very high capacity networks; iii) the review of the guidelines on intra-EU communications.
ANACOM approves the report of the public consultation on the provision of the universal postal service after the end of the current concession, launched by decision of this Authority on 26 November 2019, by request of the Government.
Published, on 10 March, Decree-Law 9/2020, endorsing the necessary measures for compliance with the obligation to maintain an electronic complaints book.
3rd phase of the switch of the DTT broadcaster network starts on 5 March, with forecast end on 21 April (79 broadcasters to be retuned). This phase was interrupted on 13 March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

February 2020

ANACOM places under public consultation the alteration of the right of use of frequencies held by Dense Air Portugal, in the context of the procedure to allocate frequencies which involves the 3.6 GHz range (this consultation procedure was suspended for reasons of force majeure, by decision of ANACOM of 19 March 2020).
2nd phase of the switch of the DTT broadcaster network takes place from 24 February to 10 March, involving the retuning of 24 broadcasters.
ANACOM determines that the maximum price of termination of voice calls in fixed networks applicable by notified fixed operators with significant market power, from 1 October 2020 onwards, is 0.046 euro cents per minute, with billing by the second from the first second onwards.
ANACOM determines that the maximum price of termination of voice calls in mobile networks applicable by notified fixed operators with significant market power, from 1 July 2020 onwards, is 0.36 euro cents per minute, with billing by the second from the first second onwards.
Published, on 20 February, Assembly of the Republic Resolution 9/2020, which recommends that the Government safeguard the quality of the universal public postal service.
ANACOM approves the final decision relative to MEO's request of intervention for administrative settlement of its dispute with NOS, concerning the price of mobile-mobile call termination services reciprocally provided in 2001, between TMN - Telecomunicações Móveis Nacionais and OPTIMUS Telecomunicações.
Published, on 17 February, Regional Regulatory Decree 6/2020/A which approves the Regulation of the licensing of space activities in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.
ANACOM accepts CTT's request to strike off from the records the shipments of: i)
regular mail, regular parcels, newspapers and periodic publications with more than weekly periodicity, of inbound or outbound flows of the islands of the central and western groups of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, from 30 September 2019 to 2 October 2019 (inclusively); and ii) express mail, newspapers and periodic publications of weekly or less than weekly periodicity and registered mail, of inbound or outbound flows of the islands of the central and western groups of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, of 1 and 2 October 2019 (inclusively), directly affected by the air traffic interruptions at airports of the Autonomous Region of the Azores caused by hurricane Lorenzo, for calculation of the values of the quality of service indicators in September and October 2019.
ANACOM approves the revision of the prices of the circuits connecting Mainland Portugal and the Autonomous Regions of Azores and Madeira (CAM circuits) and the prices of the circuits connecting the different islands of the Azores (inter-island circuits), using submarine cables owned by MEO under the leased lines reference offer (LLRO) and the Ethernet leased lines offer (RELLO).
Start of the 1st phase (7 to 24 February) of the switch of the DTT broadcaster network at a national level, involving the retuning of 20 broadcasters.
Published, on 7 February 2020, Council of Ministers Resolution 7-A/2020 which approves the strategy and timing of the distribution of the fifth generation of mobile communications (5G).
ANACOM authorises NOS not to deliver to the universal service compensation fund the value of its contribution to the net costs of the universal service for 2018, which NOS is duty bound to pay, as the value of the compensation to which NOS is entitled as a universal service provider connecting a public communications network at a fixed location and of telephone services accessible to the public is higher than the value of this contribution.
ANACOM launches public consultation for the draft Regulation of the Auction for allocation of right of use of frequencies in the 700 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2,1 GHz, 2.6 GHz and 3.6 GHz bands (this consultation procedure was suspended for reasons of force majeure, by decision of ANACOM of 19 March 2020).

January 2020

ANACOM partially refuses the request submitted by CTT to use radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders in the measurement of quality indicators related to delays in the forwarding of postal items.
ANACOM approves the decision on the identification of entities required to contribute to the compensation fund of the universal electronic communications service and on the establishment of the value of contributions concerning the net costs of the universal service to be compensated for 2018.
ANACOM approves the adoption of an injunction prohibiting unfair commercial practice in the context of DTT.
ANACOM places public consultation for the draft regulation on the methodology to be used to determine the value of remuneration payable by electronic communications companies in exchange for access to and use of infrastructure suitable for accommodating electronic communications networks (the deadline for responding to this consultation was temporarily suspended under Law 1-A/2020).